U.S. GEOLOGICAL SURVEY

Science Program Overview

U.S. Department of the InteriorU.S. Geological Survey

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• The USGS is a world leader in the natural sciences through our scientific excellence and responsiveness to society’s needs

• The USGS serves the Nation by providing reliable scientific information to:– Describe and understand the Earth– Minimize loss of life and property from natural

disasters– Manage water, biological, energy, and mineral

resources– Enhance and protect our quality of life

VISION & MISSION

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SCIENCE PROGRAMS

• Provide the science needed to support the sound management and conservation of our Nation's biological resources

• Provide objective, reliable earth-science information on geologic hazards and resources and the Nation's geologic framework

• Provide the Nation's basic geospatial data, ensuring access to and advancing the application of these data and other related earth science information for users worldwide

• Provide the hydrologic information and understanding needed by others to achieve the best use and management of the Nation's water resources

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• Biological Research & Monitoring– $129,072,000

• Biological Information Management & Delivery– $ 14,743,000

• Cooperative Research Units– $ 14,108,000

BIOLOGICAL RESEARCHFY 01 Enacted Appropriations

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Biological Research and Monitoring

• Improve understanding of how contaminants affect organisms, populations, and ecosystems

• Determine factors affecting fish and aquatic fauna reproduction, survival, and health

• Investigate factors regulating wildlife distribution, abundance, and condition

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Biological Research and Monitoring

• Improve knowledge about the complex interactions among the living and abiotic components of ecosystems

• Investigate the life requirements of endangered and at-risk species necessary for restoration of populations

• Detect, monitor, and assess non-indigenous invasive plants, animals, and organisms causing harm to native species or causing economic impacts on society

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Biological Research and Monitoring

• Provides information on the status and trends of our Nation's flora, fauna, and ecosystems through nomenclature, inventory, monitoring, and analysis

• Apply biological science information to adaptive natural resource management through development of decision support systems

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Biological Information Management & Delivery

• Develop and maintain the National Biological Information Infrastructure (NBII)

• Provide geospatially referenced data on species and habitats through the Gap Analysis Program

• Provide other biological information management support such as standards, IRM, technology transfer, and publications

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Cooperative Research Units

• Provides the natural resource management community with fish and wildlife biological sciences

• Provides technical assistance to natural resource managers

• Stationed at universities to foster academic partnerships and training

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Location of Biological Science and Technology Centers

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Columbia Environmental Research Center

• Columbia, Missouri• 6 field stations • Mission:

– Provides leadership and scientific information for environmental contaminant issues, and assessing effects of habitat alterations on aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems

• Science capabilities:– Toxicology – Ecology– Ecogeography– Environmental Chemistry– Biochemistry/Physiology– Information Technology

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Midcontinent Ecological Science Center

• Fort Collins, Colorado• 4 field stations• Mission:

– Develops, integrates, and provides ecological knowledge necessary to understand the causes and predict the consequences of change in order to improve the conservation and management of natural resources in interior western landscapes

• Science capabilities– Ecological research on native

species– Water resources ecology/mgt.– Ecosystem analysis– Social science analysis– Technology applications/services

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National Wetlands Research Center

• Lafayette, Louisiana• 2 field stations, 3 project

offices• Science capabilities:

– Forest Ecology – Spatial Analysis – Wetlands Ecology – Technology and

Informatics

• Mission:– To develop and disseminate

scientific information needed for understanding the ecology and values of our nation's wetlands and for managing and restoring wetland habitats and associated plant and animal communities

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Northern Prairie Wildlife Research Center

• Jamestown, North Dakota• 4 field stations• Mission:

– Develop research information on the quantitative ecological requirements for sustainable wildlife populations

– Design and conduct studies of numbers and distribution of flora and fauna including identification of change resulting from habitat loss and modification

– Disseminate the latest in technical information and research findings such that interested audiences benefit to the maximum extent possible

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Northern Rocky Mountain Science Center

• Bozeman, Montana• 2 field stations• Mission:

– Conduct integrated, interdisciplinary research in support of natural resource management in the Northern Rocky Mountains

• Science capabilities:– Ecology– Wildlife Biology– Geography– Geology

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• Geologic Hazard Assessment– Earthquake Hazards $46,760,000– Volcano Hazards 17,965,000– Landslide Hazards 2,628,000– Global Seismographic Network 3,497,000– Geomagnetism 2,036,000

• Geologic Landscape & Coastal Assessment– Earth Surface Dynamics $13,072,000– Nat’l Cooperative Geol. Mapping 21,238,000– Coastal & Marine Geology 35,229,000

• Geologic Resource Assessments– Mineral Resources $54,611,000– Energy Resources 23,782,000

GEOLOGIC HAZARDS, RESOURCES, AND PROCESSES

FY 01 Enacted Appropriations

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Earthquake Hazards

• Improve earthquake hazard identification and risk assessment methods and their use

• Maintain and improve comprehensive earthquake monitoring in the United States with focus on "real-time" systems in urban areas

• Improve the understanding of earthquakes occurrence and their effects and consequences

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Volcano Hazards

• Assess and monitor potential volcanic hazards

• Provide warning information on volcanic activity and rapid monitoring response to events

• Improve scientific understanding of volcanic processes

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Landslide Hazards

• Assess and monitor potential landslide hazards

• Provide warning information on landslide activity and rapid monitoring response to events

• Improve scientific understanding of landslide hazards

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Other Hazards Support Programs

• Maintain Global Seismographic Network in collaboration with international partners

• Operate geomagnetic observatories to monitor solar-induced storms and related hazards to operations and facilities

• Conduct research to achieve better understanding of geomagnetic processes and their effects on our environment

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Earth Surface Dynamics

• Provides studies that concentrate on characterizing and understanding past and present natural variability of Earth's climate and environment

• Seeks to achieve a better understanding of processes at the Earth's surface that affect or are affected by climate change, with specific emphasis on the carbon cycle

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Nat’l Cooperative Geologic Mapping

• Primary source of multi-purpose digital geologic maps that depict the nation’s sediment and rocks

• FEDMAP provides regional mapping and sysnthesis projects

• STATEMAP supports cooperative mapping studies by state geological surveys

• EDMAP supports the training of geologic mapping in colleges and universities

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Coastal and Marine Geology

• Improve the knowledge and understanding of coastal and marine geologic systems and processes

• Address the effect that rare or large-magnitude catastrophic events have on coastal and marine geologic systems

• Analyze long-term measurements to distinguish human-induced effects from natural changes

• Provide a systematic evaluation of the status of geologic systems or processes

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Mineral Resources

• Provides objective scientific tools for sustaining our Nation with adequate mineral resources

• Providing national and regional long-term data on mineral potential, production, use, and recycling

• Conducts environmental and public health studies in conjunction with partners

• Disseminates databases of geochemistry, geophysics, mineral and mine localities, and lithology

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Energy Resources

• Assess global energy resources and conduct research on the origin, occurrence, and preservation of energy resources and on assessment methodologies

• Conduct research on the environmental effects of the natural occurrence and exploitation of global energy resources

• Serve as a national source of geoscience information related to energy

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• Mapping Data Collection & Integration– $ 56,558,000

• Earth Science Information Management & Delivery– $ 35,411,000

• Geographic Research & Applications– $ 36,744,000

NATIONAL MAPPING PROGRAMFY 01 Enacted Appropriations

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• Makes available consistent, multi-purpose map and geospatial data products on a national scale

• Production accomplished largely by private firms

• Partnerships with producers and users

• Contributes to the National Spatial Data Infrastructure

• Includes data coordination and standards

Mapping Data Collection & Integration

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• Satellite Land Remote Sensing Data– Landsat 7– NASA’s TERRA Satellite– NOAA satellites– Declassified

intelligence photos– National Technical

Means assets

Mapping Data Collection & Integration

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Earth Science Information Management & Delivery

• Long-term archiving and rapid delivery of maps and natural science data and imagery

• Archive includes 11 million frames of imagery, 130 terabytes of digital geospatial data, and 130,000 published product titles

• Over 1,300 business partners for retail distribution and sales

• Trends in paperless access and delivery

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Geographic Research & Applications

• Geographic research to better understand the processes that influence the land surface and near surface, the response to natural and human induced forces, and applications to land stewardship

• Cartographic research to develop advanced analytical methods and spatial data tools

• Information science research to anticipate technology-induced change in the geospatial sciences and data management

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National Mapping Facilities

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EROS Data Center

• Sioux Falls, South Dakota• Programs:

– Systems Design, Development and Maintenance

– Archive and Information Management

– Data Production and Distribution– Land Cover Characterization

Program– International Program– Research and Applications– EOS Support– Satellite Systems Engineering– National Satellite Land Remote

Sensing Data Archive

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Mid-Continent Mapping Center

• Rolla, Missouri• Mission:

– Production, research, and data management for map and digital cartographic data products

• Branches:– Production Operations– Research, Technology,

& Applications– Program Management

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Rocky Mountain Mapping Center

• Lakewood, Colorado• Mission:

– Topographic map revision and digital cartographic data production (DEM, DLG, DOQ), primarily in the west half of the country

– Cartographic and geographic research and applications, including geographic information science and hazards response

– Earth science information and dissemination of more than 9 million USGS maps, books, and reports each year

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• Water Resources Assessments & Research– Ground Water Resources $ 4,887,000– Nat’l Water Quality Assessment 63,146,000– Toxic Substances Hydrology 13,637,000– Hydrologic Res. & Development 13,379,000

• Water Data Collection and Management– Hydrologic Networks & Analysis $29,905,000– Water Information Delivery 3,861,000

• Federal-State Cooperative Water Program– $ 62,879,000

• Water Resources Research Act Program– $ 5,467,000

WATER RESOURCES INVESTIGATIONS

FY 01 Enacted Appropriations

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Ground Water Resources

• Evaluates the availability and sustainability of ground water in the Nation’s major aquifer systems

• Conducts regional ground water assessments

• Planning for the development of a National Aquifer Database that contains up-to-date information on the Nation’s regional aquifer systems

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National Water Quality Assessment (NAWQA)

• Describe the status and trends in the quality of the Nation’s surface water and ground water resources

• Provide an improved understanding of the natural and human factors influencing these conditions

• Provide decision support information for other agencies

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National Water Quality Assessment (NAWQA)

• 1991-2000 Cycle I focus on the occurrence and distribution of contaminants in 49 watershed study units

• 2001-2010 Cycle II focus on conditions that influenced the distribution of contaminants in 42 watershed or aquifer study units

• National synthesis of key findings for pesticides, nutrients, volatile organics, trace elements, and aquatic ecology

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Toxic Substances Hydrology

• Provides unbiased scientific information needed to:– improve

characterization and management of contaminated sites

– protect human and environmental health

– reduce potential future contamination problems

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Hydrologic Research and Development

• Develops new fundamental knowledge about processes affecting water

• Develops new hydrologic methods and interpretive techniques

• Provides for the foundation for hydrologic technologies and conceptual approaches

• Approaches include small individual studies, large interdisciplinary studies, and development of tools and methods

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Hydrologic Networks and Analysis

• Maintains national networks for collecting comprehensive historical and real-time water quantity and quality data

• Identifies atmospheric and oceanographic patterns responsible for variations in hydrologic conditions

• Provides real-time flood warning for safer communities

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Water Information Delivery

• Prepares and prints scientific and technical information products:– Regional and national synthesis activities– Professional papers– Circulars– Hydrologic atlases– Real-time data access

Hydrologic Information

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Federal-State Cooperative Water Program

• Provides hydrologic data collection, analysis, and interpretive studies in partnership with State and local water resource agencies

• Data collection includes surface and ground water quality and quantity

• Interpretive studies define, characterize, and evaluate water resources

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Water Resources Research Act Program

• Matching funds for 54 Water Resources Research Institutes:– Plans, facilitates, and

conducts research to aid in the resolution of State and regional water problems

– Promotes technology transfer and the dissemination and application of research results

– Provides for the training of scientists and engineers through their participation in research

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National Water Quality Laboratory

• Provides the USGS and the public with high-quality, reliable water quality data

• Methods development supported by other programs

• Data analysis supported by reimbursable fee-for-service

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Water Resources District Offices – Central Region

Arkansas DistrictLittle Rock

Colorado District Denver

Iowa DistrictIowa City

Minnesota DistrictTwin Cities

Missouri DistrictRolla

Montana DistrictHelena

Nebraska DistrictLincoln

Louisiana DistrictBaton Rouge

New Mexico DistrictAlbuquerque

North Dakota DistrictBismarck

Kansas DistrictLawrence

Oklahoma DistrictOklahoma City

South Dakota DistrictRapid City Texas District

Austin

Wyoming DistrictCheyenne

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FUTURE SCIENCE DIRECTIONS

• Develop sufficient process understandings of the Earth’s surface

• Develop robust predictive models of the Earth’s systems

• Understand the role of life in dynamic processes at the Earth’s surface and in maintaining ambient conditions for sustainability

• Develop and deliver tools and observations needed to answer critical management issues

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FUTURE SCIENCE DIRECTIONS

• Eight science priorities:– Mitigate the impacts of earthquakes– Resolve conflicts over the management of rivers– Develop strategies for detection and control of

deleterious invasive species– Guide protection and development of coastlines– Guide sustainability of ground water supplies– Guide land-use decisions to promote sustainability– Provide information on availability, quality, and

development of energy resources– Understand ecological functions and assess

predicted change

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INTEGRATED SCIENCE

• High-level objective is the sustainable balance between healthy natural resources and quality of life

• Cumulative approach that synthesizes the perspectives of individual disciplines

• True collaboration, beyond mere coordination• Place-based construct facilitates

collaborative planning with partners and stakeholders

• Challenge is source of funds that rely on either discipline-based appropriations or funding from external collaborators

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INTEGRATED SCIENCE

• Central Region Geographic Focus Areas:– Desert Southwest & US/Mexico Border

• Water, ecosystems, urbanization, mining

– Great Plains• Agriculture, ground water, habitat loss

– Gulf Coast & Lower Mississippi River• Water quality, coastal erosion, wetland loss

– Missouri River & Middle Mississippi River• Agriculture, land use, floods, habitats,

contaminants, river hydrology

– Mountain West• Land use, natural resources, mining, water, public

lands, hazards